RUMOR: Reed to Challenge Shrewsbury
The Arch City Chronicle beat us to reporting (doesn’t happen very often) the latest rumor which is making its way around city political circles: 6th Ward Alderman Lewis Reed will be challenging Jim Shrewsbury in next year’s President of the Board race.
We all know race and races go together like peas and carrots in this town, so of course the chief concern among many black politicos is who would fill Reed’s seat on the board. Win or lose, if he was to run for President he couldn’t keep his aldermanic seat since both races occur on the same day.
The name that most often comes up as Reed’s likely successor is Democratic Committeeman Patrick Cacchione (who curiously is on record as giving $1,000 to Republican Sen. Jim Talent less than two years ago). Cacchione is white. Reed is black. While whites only make up 44% of the city’s population, they hold the vast majority of elected offices — including almost 60% of the aldermanic seats.
Some northsiders may withhold supporting Reed’s longshot campaign for Board President if he doesn’t make a clear effort to keep the 6th Ward seat filled by an African-American.
PUB DEF will be at today’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen. Check back later for comments and reactions from colleagues of both Reed and Shrewsbury to this rumored Battle Royale.
UPDATE: Reed tells PUB DEF that he is indeed contemplating a run against Shrewsbury. He said he will be making a final decision sometime within the next 3-4 weeks.
But judging by the presence and close proximity to Reed of political consultant David Poger (fresh off of Jeff Smith’s state senate victory) at today’s aldermanic meeting, it appears Reed might already be picking up some talent.
About This Author: Antonio D. French is a writer, political consultant, and newly-elected Democratic Committeeman living in north St. Louis, Missouri. Have your own opinion about this story? Go ahead and leave a comment. But be respectful to others and show you own a pair by actually using your real name. Anonymity is cowardice. And don't forget to subscribe to our feed and get PubDef stories delivered right to your feed reader or email inbox.
Comments
ACC may have beaten you at reporting the story, but he sure didn’t beat you at writing about it well. What in the hell kind of paragraph was that second one? Sloppy.
Thanks for your clear writing and more than just cut-and-paste blogging.
I’m looking forward to a spirited campaign between these two.
I’m always open for a new person in elected office, and Reed may be good Board President.
That said, I can’t say that I’m disappointed by Shrewsbury’s tenure as Board President.
Call me undecided.
This will be a tough call. Shrewsbury has certainly demonstrated that he can and will build relationships with various segments of the St. Louis community. I like Alderman Reed; but I respect the service President Shrewsbury has provided to the St. Louis community.
Unless, Reed can illustrate some wasteful spending or abhorable voting patterns on behalf of President Shrewsbury…he might want to look at another seat.
I would be remissed if I didn’t add that President Shrewsbury works well with Comptroller Darlene Green. This alone is paramount.
We have bigger fish to fry in City Politics!
After all…Niaknows - if it ain’t broke-don’t fix it.
Nia, abhorable? No such word. I think you met deplorable. Other than that your take is actually quite balanced. President Shrewsbury is to be commended for his years of outstanding service to the city of St. Louis. Alderman Reed, though too, has built a strong progressive record, especially regarding economic development issues throughout the city. Alderman Reed has earned the opportunity to campaign on his strong positive record and espouse his vision for the future of St. Louis. I look forward to a positive spirited campaign. After all, STL City is a one party town. But Nia, you knew that right?
BOARD BILL NO. [06] 66
Introduced by Jim.
An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of the Department of Human Services, on behalf of the City of St. Louis, to enter into and execute a Grant Agreement with the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in the amount of $1.2 Million to implement a three year project to divert nonviolent offenders from jail into appropriate community based treatment programs, appropriating said funds and authorizing the Director of the Department of Human Services, upon approval of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, to expend funds as permitted by such Grant Agreement and containing an emergency clause.
Ordinance 67186 is a great demonstration of rehabilitation, which awards good behavior. With these types of policies individuals are given a second chance. Intergovernmental relations are key for solving these problems. This is a step in the right direction and I commend Jim for this policy.
Why is a Democratic committeman, charged with turning out the vote for Dems in his ward, giving Talent $1K? And why is he giving Todd Akin and Jo Ann Emerson money, for Christ’s sake? Have fun defending this stuff in your next Democratic primary, Mr. Cacchione.